PERSONAL /SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIAL............... 5 WAYS TO MAKE THE BEST OF ONLINE PRESENCE

5 WAYS TO MAKE THE BEST OF ONLINE PRESENCE In a downturn, it becomes crucial for a professional to maintain a strong online presence and to make sure that he or she is noticed by prospective employers and head hunters. 1 Analyse Opportunities   “If candidates would like to leverage the social media in scouting opportunities, they first need to analyse the profile of the job in demand and the requirements from the organisation – or the potential employer. Then candidates can tweak the people they follow to gain better insights into the role or the organisation,” says Naveen Narayanan, global head, talent acquisition, HCL Technologies. 2 Create an Online Profile  Create a clean online profile across multiple important websites like LinkedIn, Bluesteps or Facebook. “It should be a snapshot of your profile capturing important experiences and achievements along with educational background. The information should be presented in a crisp and structured manner (attach a professional photograph). Keep it updated,” says Sinosh Panicker, associate principal, global technology services at executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles. 3 Start Blogging  The best thing you can do to make yourself noticed online is to start a blog. A blog can be about anything that relates to your career field and gives you an opportunity to present yourself as a thought leader in your domain. It is important to remain active on your blogs in order to ensure stickiness of your followers, he adds. However, warns Panicker: “Please do not make comments for the sake of it – it could be a put-off. Add value to the conversation.” Also, one can integrate blogs with other social media platforms. 4 Network Actively  Network with head hunters and companies online. “Use your existing profile on websites to reach the right network of headhunters and have proactive conversations to understand what is happening in the market and share your aspirations,” says Panicker. Keep updating the information. “In a competitive environment, it’s essential to be well networked and be visible on relevant platforms. It’s also imperative that the candidate interacts with the right people on these platforms since relevant virtual references can score brownie points,” says Narayanan. 5 Display your Work  Showcase recommendations that you have received from others with regards to your work. “Provide links or attach white papers that you have produced on your area of expertise, after taking the relevant permissions from your organisation,” says Panicker. Rica Bhattacharyya ET130917